All Good Things__ - Michael Jan Friedman [69]
He wouldn’t try to win them over with abstract concepts of duty and survival. He would appeal to their pride in their abilities, to their sense of loyalty, to their hearts—and then he would hope for the best.
“You all have doubts about me,” he acknowledged in stentorian tones. “About one another… about this ship. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to dispel them. All I can say is that, even though we’ve only been together for a short time, I know that you are the finest crew in the fleet.”
At any rate, he had their attention. Each bridge officer was gazing at him intently now, weighing his or her assessment of him against the incredible and daring nature of his request.
“I would gladly trust any one of you with my life,” the captain told them. “I would do so in any circumstance, at any place and time, without reservation.” He looked into their eyes, hoping he’d accomplished what he needed tombut he couldn’t be sure. “I can only hope,” he entreated, “that you have that same trust in me… that you are able to make the leap of faith I am asking of you, regardless of the consequences.”
For a time, there was silence on the bridge. Glances were exchanged, consensuses reached. Then, almost as one, the entire bridge contingent started working at their various tasks. That was their answer. Not a cheer of approval, not a roaring vote of confidence, but a simple demonstration of professionalism that spoke more loudly than voices ever could.
Picard was touched. He smiled with satisfaction. The team had come together at last, hadn’t it? And not a moment too soon.
CHAPTER 24
Picard watched his bridge officers go into action like a well-oiled machine. “Shields up,” Tasha told him. “Maximum strength.” “Boosting field integrity on the warp nacelles,” advised Worf. “We may encounter unexpected stress once we enter the anomaly.”
“I am preparing to initiate a static warp shell,” said Data.
“Course laid in, sir,” called O’Brien.
Troi glanced at the monitor built into her armrest. “All decks report ready, Captain.”
Picard surveyed his crew. He was proud of them. Damned proud.
“All right, Chief O’Brien.” He sat down in his seat and leaned back. “Take us into…” “… the anomaly.”
“Captain,” said Data, swiveling in his seat. “I have an idea.”
Picard wondered at the android’s timing—until he realized that he was in the present again. “Yes, Mr. Data. What is it?”
“Sir, if we take the ship to the center of the anomaly and create a static warp shell…”
The captain saw where he was headed. “It could repair the barrier and collapse the anomaly.” The android seemed surprised. “Yes, sir.”
Picard nodded. “I must tell you, Mr. Data—you’re a clever man in any time period.”
Data tilted his head slightly. “Thank you, sir. It is kind of you to say so.”
Returning his attention to the viewscreen, the captain said, “Lay in a course to the center of the anomaly. Prepare to initiate a static warp shell.”
The temporal shifts were coming so fast and furious now, he knew it would only be a matter of time before he… … shifted into one of the other time periods.
Sure enough, in the blink of an eye, the image on the viewscreen had changed. The anomaly had diminished to almost nothing—alerting Picard to the fact that he was new in the future.
“The other two Enterprises,” he announced to all and sundry. “They’re on their way.”
Riker nodded. “Very well.” Turning to the officer at conn, he said, “Ensign Genovese… take us in.”
The Enterprise began moving toward the anomaly. Closer… and closer still… until the light dampers in the viewscreen could barely handle the level of illumina-tion.
Picard swallowed. After all this, he hoped that he hadn’t miscalculated somehow. The Irumodic syndrome wouldn’t let him live all that much longer, but all those around him had plenty of time left.
La Forge had a family. Data had his students. Riker was a key man in the Starfleet hierarchy.
He didn’t want to be the death of them mespecially if it was all for…
… nothing.